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Scorched by Erica Hayes

Synopsis: In a world where everyone wears a mask, you can’t trust anyone… not even yourself.

Verity Fortune was once Sapphire City’s top crime-fighter, wielding her powers of telekinesis to battle the city’s most despicable villains. Now, she’s consumed by a single burning desire: revenge. Against those who took away her mask, her memory, and nearly her life.

Having escaped from the asylum they left her to rot in, Verity dons her mask once again and becomes the Seeker, a vigilante warrior for truth.

But when she unwittingly uncovers an evil conspiracy deep within her own family, she’s suddenly on the run, alone and hunted by those she thought were on her side…

Review: I enjoyed the books by Erica Hayes that I had the opportunity to read, so when I saw the release of a new series, I was immediately intrigued. Well I’m curious by novels featuring vigilantes and even if I have some in my TBR pile, it is true that I had not read any so far. However, I can now say that I ultimately had a great time with this new story.

Verity is locked in a psychiatric hospital for a while now, undergoing imposed incessant treatments. But after a while, she finally manages to escape, but soon realizes that months have passed since her last memory. She does not know what happened before her imprisonment but she is determined to take revenge on the man who has locked her and that is none other than her old enemy. Yet when she returned home, she realizes that she has forgotten many facts, like that her father died the night she was kidnapped. And when she is convinced that a member of her family is fiddling with their enemies and is responsible for her condition, she will ally with a man with astonishing powers, vigilante himself, in order to make Law reign and discover the truth that lies in her past. However, large areas of shadow are there and Verity might be surprised by the reality of what happened.

We understand from the beginning of the novel, the desire of the heroine to recover her memory and I admit that I was very surprised at the end of the story when we learn the truth. Small flashbacks back are gradually given over the chapters, but it’s true we can’t imagine the thruth. Through her adventures, we discover Glimmer, a masked man who seems to have been really influenced by his past. I was really curious to learn more about him and it’s true that his history really broke my heart. He will form a beautiful duet with Verity. I loved the young woman and despite all her vulnerability, she tries to present a strong front but her thirst for revenge is stronger than her self-control. She will quickly have to decide what her limitations are before not being able to go back.

I enjoyed this first volume as well as the world. Humans who live here are like everyone else and we also have the augmented who detains some special power. Yet fear lies in the heart of people, especially when some use their powers inappropriately. An ancient war is also found in the middle of all these problems and Verity could know more than what she thinks.

It was a very good first novel. I loved to discover more about the world and the characters. I am very curious to read more about all of them now. The author presents us a nice mix of vigilantes, betrayal and revenge.

I’m liking the sound of this one Melliane! I love novels where the narrator (or one of the main characters) is unreliable and makes me question if their every memory is real or a delusion of some kind. Verity sounds fascinating, and I definitley want to know the truth about what happened to her!

I’m not that interested in vigilantes, but the psychological aspect with the amnesia and a revenge plot has got me interested, always my favourite reads. Must suck not knowing who to trust, and maybe not even being able to trust your own memory. Glad you enjoyed it!

I just heard a HILARIOUS routine from a comedian about amnesia. He said in real life, it would never go like it does in fiction. If you woke up in a bed, surrounded by people you didn’t recognize, you wouldn’t say, “Who are you?” That’s rude. You’d say, “Hey, how’s it going?” Because in real life, when someone obviously knows who you are but you don’t recognize them, you pretend you do! Because of that, I’m not sure I can enjoy a story that involves memory loss the same way!

I love the cover and I love that you had such a great time with this one. I am trying to remember if I have ever read a book about a vigilant either and I am not sure! I think this would be a fun one and I have never tried this author so maybe a good place to start as well with her writing.

I know this is a new series, but the description sounds like there is a lot more to the backstory. Since I am unfamiliar with the author and her past work, I wonder if you know if this series is set in a shared world or completely new?

I love reading books with vigilantes, and this sounds wonderful with its mix of memory loss, telekinesis and crime fighting. The world actually sounds like it has some wonderful building to it as well. I’m excited this is a new series and will be checking it out some more for sure. Wonderful review, Mellianne 🙂

I’ve been wanting to read this one since seeing one of your hauls (i think you had this in one of your hauls not too long ago? hopeuflly you did) so i’ve been patiently waiting to hear more about it and pick up a copy myself. I’m glad you did overall like the story and wnat to continue with the series!
Lily

Ooh memory loss and a psychiatric hospital? Well NOW you ‘ve got my attention! 😀 This sounds so up my alley it’s not even funny. I love mysteries like these and this one sounds like it kept you guessing until the end! Definitely adding this one to my list!